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I  : 


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FROM   THE   LIBRARY   OF 

REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE    LIBRARY   OF 

PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


tttftifaU  ]$*#$£ 


BY 


JOSEPH  A.  SEISS,  D.D. 


PHILADELPHIA  '. 

GEORGE  W.   FREDERICK. 

1878. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/recreationsongsOOseis 


'  Something  of  Life  in  spirit  and  blood- 
'Somathing  of  Nature's  fair  and  good.' 


[iilj  ftps  imsktftctr  g  shtg  iljcsc  Inmittlc  songs, 
[Jjifet  i^asc  tuljc  listen  slmH  najuogE  ilpir  uiorl 


SHBrfMAH  A  CO.,  PHINTEBS. 


PACK 

A  Morning  Song, .9 

An  Evening  Song  for  the  Little  Ones, 10 

A  Song  for  Christmas, 11 

A  Song  for  the  Sanctuary, .13 

A  Song  of  the  Ending  Year, 15 

A  Song  to  the  Saviour, 18 

A  Song  of  Song, 20 

A  Song  of  the  Blessed  Hope, 25 

A  Song  of  the  Sea, 27 


tZ&r^^ 


%  Hunting  jBrmg. 


(From  the  German.) 
I  will  sing  aloud  of  Thy  mercy  in  the  morning. — Ps.  59  :  16. 

*|Draise  the  Lord  !  The  sun  of  morning 
Wakes  the  slumbering  plains  again  ; 
All  the  earth  to  life  returning 
Lifts  to  God  a  joyful  strain. 

Praise  the  Lord  !  The  dewy  flowers 

Bloom  the  praises  of  the  King ; 
Heights,  and  fields,  and  leafy  bowers 

Ring  with  gladdest  carolling. 


Praise  the  Lord  !  From  hills  and  mountains 
Sounds  aloud  the  thankful  lay ; 

Stir,  my  soul,  thy  nobler  fountains, 
Bless  the  Lord  for  new-born  day. 


10  RE  CJl  E  ATI ON  S  0  N  G  S. 


fin  Jxutrmng  jSowj* 

For  the  Little  Ones. 

Have  ye  never  read.  Out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  suck- 
lings Thou  hast  perfected  praise? — Matt.  21  :  1G. 

Even  so  it  is  not  the  will  of  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven. 
that  one  of  these  little  ones  should  perish. — Matt.  18:  14. 

^oly  Jesus !  Here  I  bow, 

Hear  the  prayers  I  offer  now ; 
By  Thy  mercy  meek  and  mild, 
Listen  to  Thy  little  child. 

Gracious  Saviour  !  Be  my  Guide, 
Keep  me  always  near  Thy  side ; 
Watch  around  my  bed  this  night, 
Bring  me  safe  to  morning  light. 

Wrongs  that  I  have  done  forgive ; 

Teach  me  better  how  to  live. 

Make  me  good  and  true  like  Thee ; 

Save  my  soul  eternally. 

Amen. 


RECREATION  SONGS.  11 


%  JSmtg  {jnr  Sljmlmas. 

Kings  of  the  earth  and  all  people;  princes  and  all  judges  of 
the  earth  ;  both  young  men  and  maidens ;  old  men  and  chil- 
dren, praise  the  Xame  of  the  Lord. — Ps.  148  :  11-13. 


ISJHTJitCH-BELLS  are  ringing,  ringing,  ringing, 

Outpouring  their  heavenly  lay  ; 
Angels  are  singing,  singing,  singing, 

Jesus  is  born  to-day  ! 
Glory  to  God  in  the  highest — glory ! 

Peace  on  the  earth,  good  will  to  men ; 
Angels  and  bells  resound  the  story, 

Ring  it,  sing  it  again. 

Starbeams  are  telling,  telling,  telling, 
The  tidings  which  honor  this  morn  ; 

Glad  hearts  are  swelling,  swelling,  swelling, 
Jesus  the  Christ  is  born  ! 

Glory  to  God  in  the  highest — glory  ! 
Peace  on  the  earth,  good  will  to  men ; 


T 


1 2  R  E  <  'R  EA  TIO  X  S  0  X  G  S. 

Glad  hearts  and  stars  repeat  the  story. 
Ring  it,  sing  it  again. 

Shepherds  are  thrilling,  thrilling,  thrilling, 

Beholding  what  angels  had  told ; 
Wise  ones  are  kneeling,  kneeling,  kneeling, 

Offering  incense  and  gold. 
Glory  to  God  in  the  highest — glory  ! 

Peace  on  the  earth,  good  will  to  men ; 
Shepherds  and  kings  rehearse  the  story, 

Ring  it,  sing  it  again. 

Songlets  are  rhyming,  rhyming,  rhyming. 

The  anthems  of  joy, — let  them  ring, — 
Sweetly  with  bells  and  angels  chiming 

Praise  for  the  new-born  King. 
Glory  to  God  in  the  highest — glory  ! 

Peace  on  the  earth,  good  will  to  men  ; 
Children  and  chimes  proclaim  the  story, 

Ring  it,  sing  it  again. 


RECREATION  SONGS.  13 


%  jSattj  IJnr  lip  jSmttttmrt}* 


Let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom; 
teaching  and  admonishing  one  another  in  psalms,  and  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs,  singing  with  grace  in  your  hearts  to  the 
Lord.— Col.  3  :  16. 


r\xcE  more  we  come  to  Thee,  O  Lord, 

u 

In  Name  of  Christ  our  King. 
We  gather  round  Thy  holy  Word, 
And  here  Thy  praises  sing. 

Accept  us  in  Thy  pardoning  love, 
Our  thoughts  engage  and  stay  ; 

Vouchsafe  Thy  Spirit  from  above, 
And  cleanse  our  sins  away. 

Thy  promised  blessing  now  impart ; 

Our  souls  with  Manna  feed ; 
Write  Thy  pure  Truth  on  every  heart, 

And  make  us  Thine  indeed. 


1  -I  IlECREATIO N  S 0 X G S. 

Called  by  Thy  Gospel  to  Thy  Fold, 
We  on  Thy  Covenant  rest ; 

And  may  this  pearl  of  price  untold 
Make  us  forever  blest. 

Amen. 


RECREATION  SONGS.  15 


%  jSmtj  af  Up  Jkirmg  °fW+ 


When  a  few  years  are  come,  then  I  shall  go  the  way  whence 
I  shall  not  return. — Job  16 :  22. 


'he  year  that  carne  last  liath  departed  again  ! 
It  was,  but  it  now  is  no  more. 
If  others  shall  come,  no  mortal  may  ken  ; 
Time  is,  but  time  soon  shall  be  o'er. 

A  year  is  a  mile  in  the  journey  of  life  ; 

Its  end  marks  the  space  we  have  passed  ; 
It  tells  how  much  less  of  this  turmoil  and  strife 

Remains  ere  we  come  to  the  last. 

Just  three-score  and  ten  from  the  birth  to  the  bier  ; 

How  much  of  that  limit  hath  gone  ! 
The  mile-posts  stand  thick  on  the  path  in  the  rear ; 

Before  us  we  know  not  of  one ! 


16  RECREATION   SONGS. 

Much  peril  hath  compassed  the  way  we  have  come  ; 

Nor  hope  can  we  have  for  a  day. 
The  years  in  their  course  are  all  numbered  for  some, — 

In  ambush,  Death  waits  for  his  prey. 

Blest  pilgrims !  So  near  to  the  goal  of  their  race  ! 

One  pang,  and  their  trials  are  done ; 
Beyond  comes  the  glad  consummation  of  grace, 

The  glory,  the  crown,  and  the  throne. 

Nor  should  we  lament  that  the  years  are  so  few, 

For  those  who  have  longer  to  wait ; 
'Tis  good  that  we  live,  be  we  steadfast  and  true, 

But  better  die  early  than  late. 

The  last  days  of  earth  are  the  heaviest  to  bear, 

The  last  miles  the  hardest  to  run  ; 
The  aged  the  largest  in  honor  may  share ; 

Soon  dead,  soonest  heaven's  begun. 


T 


t 


RECREATION   SONGS.  17 

If  please  it  the  Father  these  years  to  extend, 
What  dangers,  what  conflicts,  may  come ! 

O  God,  let  Thy  mercy  sustain  and  defend, 
Till  years  land  us  safely  at  home ! 

To  Thee,  the  Almighty,  be  praise  for  the  past, 

The  Father,  the  Spirit,  the  Son  ! 
Thy  Word  and  Thy  Promise  forever  shall  last 

Here  trust  we  till  all  years  be  done. 


1  8  B  ECBEATIO N   S ONt .  S. 


%  jSottj  In  lip  jlnuiour, 

(From  the  German.) 

Thou  art  fairer  than  the  children  of  men  :  grace  is  poured  into 
Thy  lips:  therefore  God  hath  blessed  Thee  forever. — Is.  15:2. 

As  the  appletree  among  the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is  my  Be- 
loved among  the  sons. — Cant.  2  :  3. 

He  is  altogether  lovely. — Cant.  5  :  1G. 


eautiful  Saviour  !  King  of  Creation  ! 
Son  of  God,  and  Son  of  man  ! 
Truly  I'd  love  Thee, 
Truly  I'd  serve  Thee, 
Light  of  my  soul,  my  Joy,  my  Crown. 


Fair  are  the  meadows, — fair  are  the  woodlands, 
Robed  in  flowers  of  blooming  Spring  ; 

Jesus  is  fairer, 

Jesus  is  sweeter, 
He  makes  our  sorrowing  spirit  sing. 


RECREATION  SONGS.  19 

Bright  is  the  sunshine, — bright  is  the  moonlight, 
Bright  the  sparkling  stars  on  high ; 

Jesus  shines  brighter, 

Jesus  shines  purer, — 
Brighter  than  Angels  in  the  sky. 

Beautiful  Saviour  !  Lord  of  the  nations  ! 
Son  of  God,  and  Son  of  man  ! 

Glory  and  honor, 

Praise,  adoration, 
Now  and  for  evermore  be  Thine ! 


2  l  R  E  ( '  B  E  AT  10  N  S  0N(  i  S. 


%  Jbng  z\  jSanj. 


The  Morning  Stars  sang  together. — Job.  38  :  7. 

How  shall  we  sing  the  Lord's  song  in  a  strange  land! — Ps. 
137  :  4. 

The  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come  to  Zion 
with  songs. — Ps.  35  :  1. 

9^'nou  bid'st  me  sing. — Tis  well ;  song  is  divine  ; 

It  sprang  from  heaven,  ordained  of  God  Himself, 
His  gift  to  all  His  Sons  who  dwell  on  high, 
And  linked  on  earth  with  every  sacredness. 


Twas  meant  to  make  us  blest,  to  give  us  wings, 
To  quicken  every  sense,  to  lift  us  up 
In  fond  conversance  with  the  things  of  God. 
Both  heart  and  soul  find  their  divinest  life 
And  holiest  element  in  noble  song. 

The  prophets  all,  and  all  God's  worshippers, 
In  earth  and  heaven,  are  full  of  poesy. 


RECREATION  SONGS.  21 

The  rapturous  ode  and  pious  note,  the  sound 
Of  harp  and  lyre,  and  voice  of  minstrelsy, 
Have  marked  His  people's  paths  in  every  age, 
Resounded  in  their  camps,  their  temples  filled, 
And  cheered  their  pilgrim  steps  with  holy  joy. 

This  earth  of  ours  should  never  want  for  song. 

'Twas  born  amid  the  heavenly  harmonies, 

Inbreathed  with  joyous  chants  of  Morning  Stars, 

Which  echo  yet  in  all  its  elements, — 

Itself  a  strain  of  sacred  melody 

In  God's  great  Poem  of  the  Universe. 

Nor  hath  it  shrub  or  flower,  or  brook  or  hill, 

Or  aught  that  breathes  its  ambient  air,  but  feels 

Some  impulse  and  capacity  to  sing. 

And  could  what  in  my  deepest  being  stirs 

Be  woven  into  fitting  words  and  rhythm, 

Thy  quest  would  be  fulfilled,  and  time  would  have 

Another  song  which  scarce  could  ever  die. 


22  BE C BE A  TION   SONGS. 

But  these  are  not  adjuvant  times  for  song. 

Our  age  is  iron, — iron  oxydized, — 

Like  metal  whence  the  spirit  hath  gone  out ; 

The  ring  of  truth,  the  soul,  the  Godward  sense, 

The  proper  life  of  true  poetic  fire, 

Is  weakened  down,  or  eaten  quite  away. 

The  whirling  surges  of  our  modern  times 

Have  overwhelmed  the  true-born  sons  of  song, 

Submerged  them,  swept  them  from  the  earth,  as  if 

With  Xoah's  flood,  without  a  Noah  left. 

That  race  of  gifted  spirits,  clad  in  light, 
Whose  hearts  were  furnaces  of  sacred  thought, 
Which  set  on  fire  the  trains  of  human  speech, 
Ignited  language  with  Promethean  flames, 
And  lit  the  world  with  brightness  as  they  passed, 
Has  disappeared.     We  hear  such  songs  no  more. 

Song-themes,  indeed,  have  met  with  no  eclipse. 
Jehovah  lives.     His  glorious  Empire  stands, 


RECREATION  SO N G S. 


2.3 


His  grand  Creation  alters  not  with  times, 

And  ever  thrills  with  Godhead,  Power  and  Love. 

'Tis  more  the  muse,  the  singing  heart,  which  lacks. 

Vain  man  hath  parted  from  his  proper  self, 
Let  go  his  moorings  on  the  Rock  of  Truth 
And  gone  for  counsel  to  the  Atheist's  Creed, 
Or  bowed  his  highborn  soul  at  Mammon's  shrine, 
Till  all  its  strings  have  rusted,  lost  their  tone, 
And  inspiration  touches  them  in  vain. 

O  for  revival  of  the  soul  of  song  ! — 
The  pulse  of  life  beats  low  where  song  is  not. 
When  Judah's  harps  on  Babel's  willows  hang, 
Jerusalem's  in  heaps,  her  sons  in  chains, 
And  Freedom  bleeds  beneath  the  curse  of  sin. 

Man  needs  the  ministry  of  holy  song  ; 
And  why  not  hope  that  it  shall  be  rebuilt  ? 
Our  very  miserere  sighs  its  plaint 
Instinct  with  prophecy  of  blessed  change. 


24  RECREATION  SONGS. 

A  thing  of  God  cannot  forever  pine; 
However  dark  the  night,  a  Day  draws  on. 
And  when  God's  New  Creation  casts  its  beams 
Upon  our  alien  world,  these  slackened  cords, 
Retuned  to  their  primeval  harmony, 
Shall  answer  to  the  sweep  of  Hand  divine, 
And  earth  unite  with  heaven  to  celebrate 
The  everlasting  Jubilee  of  Song. 


RECREATIO N  S 0 N G S.  25 


Our  conversation  is  in  heaven ;  from  whence  also  we  look 
for  the  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. — Phil.  3 :  20. 

And  He  that  sat  upon  the  throne  said,  Behold,  I  make  all 
things  new. — Eev.  21 :  5. 

cT7l  ternal  Father,  hear ! 
^  Haste  to  fulfil  Thy  Word  ! 
Let  Israel's  Hope  ap2^ear  ! 
Reveal  to  earth  her  Lord  ! 


How  long  shall  Death  yet  reign, 
And  Hell  our  race  oppress  ? 

When  shall  earth  bloom  again 
In  Eden's  blessedness  ? 

The  waves  of  ill  are  high  ; 

The  world  with  trouble  reels  ; 
All  lands,  all  creatures  cry : 

God,  speed  Thy  chariot-wheels  ! 


26  R  E  r  RE  AT  1 0  N  S  0  N  <  J  8. 

The  times  are  prophets  now  ; 

They  preach  impending  doom  ; 
Let  men  repentant  bow  ; 

Let  saints  prepare  for  home. 

Hail  to  the  dawning  Day, 
By  holy  seers  foretold  ! 

Hail  the  Messiah's  sway — 

The  Heaven-born  Age  of  gold  ! 


RECREATION  SONGS.  27 


%  jSmtg  of  %  $tn. 

The  sea  hath  spoken,  even  the  strength  of  the  sea. — Ps.  23  :  4. 

fp  efoee  me  lies  the  Sea, — the  beauteous  Sea, — 
The  ancient,  sacred,  vast,  mysterious  Sea, — 
The  Sea  which  rolls  between  two  continents, 
And  separates  them  by  three  thousand  miles. 

With  volume  deep,  it  rolls,  and  rolls,  and  rolls, 
Heedless  of  man,  his  ships  and  armaments. 
A  thousand  keels  are  plowing  on  its  breast, 
A  thousand  eyes  are  looking  on  its  waves, 
A  thousand  forms  are  sporting  in  its  surf; 
And  yet,  with  solemn  grandeur  all  its  own, 
It  still  rolls  on,  and  thus  for  ever  rolls. 

I  gaze,  and  gaze,  upon  this  boundless  world 
Of  molten  beauty,  majesty  and  power. 


28  RE  CR EA  TI 0 N  S 0  N 0 S. 

'Twould  seem  as  if,  with  holy  Seer  of  old, 
I  here  beheld  the  crystal  seat  of  the 
Almighty's  Throne  ; — a  pavement  infinite, 
Of  fluid  glass  and  burning  gold,  whereon 
The  Living  Ones  in  glory  stand,  and  cry 
The  Hymns  which  fill  the  glad  Eternity. 

From  shore  to  shore,  for  full  a  thousand  leagues, 
From  pole  to  pole,  and  back  again  to  pole, 
It  pulsates  to  the  movements  of  the  heavens, 
With  earthquake  strength  rehearsing  evermore 
The  mighty  Anthem  of  its  Maker's  praise. 

The  Sea  !  The  Sea !  The  deep  and  awful  Sea ! 
How  doth  imagination  kindle  here ! 
What  visions  greet  us  as  we  sit  and  watch 
This  liquid  mirror  of  the  tranquil  heavens  ! 

The  Evening  steals  upon  it,  and  the  Moon, 
Full-orbed,  looms  up  from  out  the  dancing  waves, 


t 


R E Cli EA  TI OX  SO XGS.  29 

And  looks,  with  red  and  stolid  face,  as  though 
He  wondered  at  this  night-glee  on  the  floods. 

The  Stars,  which  shine  in  yon  celestial  j)lains, 
Or  float  in  the  empyrean  depths,  like  isles 
Of  living  light,  or  glow  like  vestal  fires, 
In  Night's  great  Temple  burning  evermore, 
Peer  from  their  pearly  homes,  in  loving  groups. 
And  stir  their  limpid  flames  to  brighter  joy, 
To  see  old  Ocean  kindle  with  their  charms 
And  press  their  image  fondly  to  his  heart. 

The  azure  Sky,  kerchiefed  in  gilded  clouds, 
Or  donning  sacred  veils  of  spotless  white, 
Before  this  ample  mirror  stands,  intent 
With  contemplation  of  her  loveliness. 

The  setting  Sun  halts  on  the  western  hills 
To  view  his  glorious  train  upon  these  tides 
Illumined  with  the  sheen  of  golden  gates 
Through  which  his  blazing  chariot  rolls  to  rest. 


•">  »  BECBEA  TION  SONGS. 

Anon,  a  thousand  steeds  rush  from  the  depths, 
As  if  to  battle,  shake  their  snowy  manes, 
And  dash  with  fury  on  some  foe  unseen  ; 
Whilst  troops  of  billows  well  support  the  charge. 
And  shout  the  consummated  victory. 

Betimes  the  whole  expanse  is  all  ablaze, 
O'erstrewn  with  little  flames  of  silver  fires, 
Which  dance  and  flash  before  the  risen  Sun 
As  if  each  drop  were  purest  diamond. 

And  when  the  breath  of  heaven  bears  on  these  floods, 

The  soul  of  Ocean  wakes,  uplifts  itself 

In  rolling  hills  t'embrace  the  ghostly  storm, 

Whilst  God  walks  after  in  His  majesty 

And  smiles  His  rainbow  on  the  scene  divine. 

I  wonder  not  that  man  admires  the  Sea; 
That  many  seek  their  home  upon  its  waves ; 
That  toil-worn  myriads  throng  its  summer  coasts; 


1 


BECBEATIOS    \ 

That  nations  war  for  harbor  where  it  rolls  : 
That  cities  plant  themselves  upon  its  shoi   s; 
That  empires  nestle  on  its  outstretched  arms. 

The  Ocean  is  the  grand  old  mother-world. — 
The  well-spring  of  perennial  blessedness  ; — 
All  earthly  life  leans  on  it.-  ebb  and  now. 

Man  needs  the  lands  and  fields,  the  rocks  and  plains, 
And  clings  with  fondness  to  his  mountain  hoi:    - 
But  all  were  dust  and  death  without  th    S 

Yon  wagons,  travelling  the  aerial  paths, 
Immense  and  high,  like  mountains  set  on  wheels, 
Whose  shadows  cover  nations  as  they  pa  ~. 
Do  groan,  and  toil,  and  crash  with  thunderbolts. 
Beneath  the  ponderous  freight  they  bear  a] 
To  pour  upon  the  waiting  hills.     These  all 
Are  ocean-born,  their  treasures  ocean-brev." 
The  forests  see  them  and  rejoice.     The  sprin_- 
Break  forth  in  happy  glee.     The  streams  exult. 


32  It  ECU  EAT  I  OS  SONGS. 

The  birds  and  meadows  sing.     The  fields  are  glad. 
And  every  object  in  this  earthly  realm 
Expands  in  grateful  honors  to  the  Sea, 
For  these  its  life-gifts  to  the  helpless  world. 

And  yet,  a  sodden  gloom  broods  on  this  Deep. 

It  sighs,  and  chafes,  and  moans,  and  never  rests ; 

Impatiently  it  chides  the  rigid  shores, 

And  upward  strives,  without  the  strength  to  rise. 

One  trial  past,  another  quick  succeeds, 

Yet  some  fond  aim  is  always  unattained. 

With  all  its  brightness,  still  it  seems  oppress  id, 

As  if  some  inner  grief,  unseen,  untold, 

Lay  lodged  and  leaden  on  its  secret  heart ; — 

The  moan  goes  on,  the  unrest  never  stops. 

Nor  can  these  waters  ever  here  repose. 

An  eagle,  caged  in  gold,  and  fed  by  royal  hands. 

►Still  seeks  for  liberty  to  mount  the  skies ; 

And  thus,  though  God  hath  said,  Here  be  ye  stayed, 


R E CR EATION  SO N G S.  33 

These  waves  are  dreaming  of  their  native  home, 
And  look  toward  heaven,  and  lift  their  wings,  and  leap, 
In  hope  of  some  translation  to  be  won — 
Some  grand  redemption  which  shall  set  them  free. 

The  Sea  is  true  to  its  celestial  birth, 

And  hath  celestial  aims  and  lineaments. 

By  man  approached  it  seems  to  lie  below, 

But  when  he  mounts  upon  its  rolling  waves, 

And  bids  adieu  to  its  receding  shores, 

He  leaves  the  coarser  world  behind,  beneath, 

Ascends  among  the  clouds,  moves  with  the  winds, 

Converses  with  celestial  potencies, 

And  loses  sight  of  grovelling  earth  and  dust. 

The  Ocean  most  obeys  the  sky,  because 

Related  mostly  to  supernal  worlds. 

Its  substance,  gathered  from  the  primal  heavens, 

Can  scarce  be  rated  with  material  things ; 

It  seemeth  more  like  soul  made  visible. 

5 


34  B  E ( ' R  E  A  TIO  N  S  0  X G S. 

Eternal  Spirit,  ere  the  earth  yet  was, 

Sat  brooding  on  the  floods,  and  found  in  then] 

Its  first  affinities.     And  down  till  now, 

The  Sea  is  full  of  awful  Deity. 

'Tis  God's  Almightiness  in  thinnest  veil, — 

The  dreadest  nearness  of  His  unseen  Self. 

'Tis  His  sublimest  mundane  workmanship, — 

The  Tabernacle  of  Infinity. 

Jehovah's  voice  is  on  this  rolling  deep ; 

His  Word  resounds  through  all  its  swelling  waves. 

It  like  a  special  Revelation  speaks, 

To  teach  the  reckless  world  His  holy  Truth. 

'Tis  here  proud  man  beholds  his  littleness. — 

The  utter  vanity  of  all  his  strength, — 

The  emptiness  of  his  sufficiency, — 

The  costs  and  perils  of  unwatchfulness, — 

The  need  of  faith, — the  naturalness  of  prayer. — 

The  dread  necessity  of  hold  on  God. 


RECREATION  SONGS.  35 

Full  oft  the  sailor  finds,  in  awful  truth, 
'Twixt  him  and  death  is  but  one  fragile  plank, — 
That  life  and  hope  hang  on  a  creaking  shred, 
And  all  beside  is  only  God  or  Hell ! 

That  Hand  alone  which  made  the  worlds,  and  set 
The  Stars  on  high,  and  wheels  the  floating  orbs, 
And  sways  dominion  o'er  immensity, 
Can  give  salvation  from  the  Ocean's  power. 

The  firmest  vessels  and  the  best-manned  helms, 
The  highest  courage  and  the  coolest  heads, 
Alike  are  impotent  against  the  Sea. 
The  giant  fury  of  its  angry  waves 
Engulfs  whole  Navies  at  a  single  stroke, 
Nor  feels  a  tremor  at  the  ruin  wrought. 

Eesistless,  grand,  unconquerable  Sea  ! 
Shadow  of  God  and  His  Omnipotence  ! 
Great  Capitol  of  life  and  death  alike ! 


36  HE  GREAT  I  OX   SONGS. 

I  wonder  at  thy  varied  attributes : — 

So  yielding,  gentle,  yet  so  stern  and  strong ! 

So  old,  yet  clad  in  such  perpetual  youth ! 

So  good,  yet  with  such  dreadful  perils  fraught ! 

So  true  a  servant,  yet  so  great  a  King ! 

So  joined  to  earth,  and  yet  so  full  of  heaven  ! 

Thou  earth-encircling,  empire-nurturing  Sea  ! 
With  tempests  mantled,  and  with  Ages  crowned, 
With  Kingdoms  bordered,  in  all  zones  supreme ! 
Who  can  withstand  thine  august  majesty ! 
In  vain  rebellion  seeks  to  shake  thy  throne, 
Or  spoil  the  glories  which  enwreath  thy  brow ! 
And  whoso  riseth  to  resist  thy  sway, 
Is  hurled  from  being,  and  is  known  no  more. 

Unfathomed,  lone,  immeasurable  Sea  ! 
The  Czar  of  Eras  !  Autocrat  of  Time  ! 
How  do  our  spirits  in  thy  presence  cower, 
And  nations  tremble  at  thy  mighty  tread ! 


RECREATION  SONGS.  37 

What  worlds  are  heaved  amid  thy  ceaseless  tides ! 
What  vast  creations  in  thy  waters  swim ! 
What  floods  of  sapphire  pour  athwart  thy  breast ! 
What  death  profound  reigns  in  thy  silent  depths ! 

But  who  of  earth  may  all  thy  mysteries  know  ? 

Or  who  the  half  of  all  thy  wonders  tell  ? 

At  home  with  God  before  earth's  years  began, 

Thou  tak'st  no  note  of  passing  centuries  ! 

Thy  being,  like  thy  waves,  forever  flows, 

And  Time's  last  hour  still  hears  thy  billows  roll, — 

Sublime,  exhaustless,  everlasting  Sea ! 


HH 


I; 


■H 


